Lukaku can top Rooney record
MARK HUGHES believes Romelu Lukaku can become Manchester United’s greatest goalscorer.
Former United striker Hughes must try to shackle the £75 million goal machine today when his Stoke team take on the leaders today.
But Hughes believes Wayne Rooney’s record benchmark of 253 goals in the famous red shirt is well within Lukaku’s reach.
The Belgium striker has hit the ground running at United with three goals in his opening three games and eight in eight for club and country.
Hughes said: “He’s only 24 and ready to go. That would be more difficult to believe if I thought he was coming from a position where he wasn’t fully established, had done well for one season, moved for big money then ended up on a stage like United.
“But given his standing and career path now in terms of each year, he’s upwards of 20 to 25 goals a season and less of a risk. That’s why they spent such a huge amount on him – because he’s the real deal.
“Lukaku is ready to go and at the age he is there’s still more to come.
“Could he break Rooney’s record? Yes. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him – or maybe I do.
“Logically, you would say he’ll go close to it if he stays there a long time, gets a good run and steers clear of major injuries.
“Lukaku is playing in a top team and has outstanding players around him who will create more chances for him than in the past when he was still able to score a good level of goals.
“A lot of strikers have gone to United and not been able to deal with the demands that the club brings. It’s early days but you don’t sense that Lukaku will have any issues on that front.”
The Potters manager revealed he once missed out on signing the former
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Chelsea and Everton striker. “I tried to get him when I was at QPR but he ended up going to West Brom on loan,” said Hughes. “Clearly I didn’t pitch too well – probably because I didn’t say he’d play week-in, week-out. I’ve learnt from that.” Hughes believes his Stoke side can still rattle a United team who have won all three of their opening league games, scoring 10 goals without conceding. “We want to get about them and ask questions,” said the former Wales manager. “United are strong and they have power and pace but there are areas where they are a bit loose.” Stoke will have to do it, however, without the services of skipper Ryan Shawcross, who is ruled out after picking up a back injury in training. Hughes said: “It’s a blow. Ryan has had back issues before but this isn’t connected and we’ll just have to wait for it to settle. “Hopefully he won’t be out for long. It’s not ideal but you just have to accept it and get on with things.”